A better future for a troubled world

Dark Optimism is the not-for-profit public interest research, activism and writing of Shaun Chamberlin, author of The Transition Timeline, working with a wide network of friends and partners around the world.

We are unashamedly positive about what kind of a world humanity could create, and unashamedly realistic about how far we are from creating it today.

Mid Devon District Council's planning committee reject the ELC's application, despite recommendations for approval from both the Council planning officers and the local Parish Council. The ELC will appeal. More details here.

Project developments

Shaun completes his foreword. With help from Maria's family, Shaun, Vinay and Cat select an appropriate piece from Maria's portfolio, in line with her excitement at being asked to provide the cover art.

Key partners

Shaun worked closely with Dr. David Fleming, inventor of TEQs and founder of The Lean Economy Connection, from 2006 until his death in 2010. The FPC now acts as the hub for the campaigning, research and technical communities around the scheme, with the European Resource Cap Coalition a particularly noteworthy ally.

Project developments

As momentum behind TEQs continues to gather, more recent updates can be found on the TEQs website. To be kept abreast of new developments, join the TEQs mailing list.

03.03.2011

TEQs software team inaugurated

We now have a team of volunteers from numerous organisations around the world looking at the possibilities for building and integrating software to run TEQs, with the ultimate aim of the scheme becoming an 'off the shelf' solution for Governments faced with energy crises, or wishing to guarantee emissions reductions.

A senior energy specialist at the World Bank shares an extensive report on real examples of electricity rationing - both good and bad - providing compelling evidence of both the need for, and the absence of, a thought-through instrument to ensure fair distribution of energy at times of scarcity, and to support managed demand reduction.

The Parliamentary launch generates extensive media coverage from the likes of the BBC, Time magazine, The Sunday Times, Bloomberg News, The Daily Mail, The Financial Times and many others. Full updated list here.

David Fleming and Shaun release the Lean Economy Connection's official response to the DEFRA study, highlighting the shortcomings of the methodology and arguing that delay is ill-advised in the absence of other realistic and effective means for addressing climate change and fuel depletion.

Historian Dr Mark Roodhouse examines wartime rationing and concludes that “the use of taxes alone to control consumption was rejected in the World Wars, and they would not achieve the quick, dramatic cut in carbon consumption that we need now to avert environmental disaster. Tradable carbon rations would have a real impact”.

Shaun authored this book in collaboration with the Transition Network. It was requested by local Transition initiatives in order to provide them with a sense of the context within which their local 'Energy Descent Action Plans' will be implemented.

Project refocused on the cultural stories that will determine which of the future scenarios detailed actually come to pass.

11.08.2008

Climate change/peak oil section completed

First two parts completed outlining context of UK energy descent. Focus now shifts to detailing the Transition Vision for the UK out to 2027.

22.05.2008

Online version launched

Due to around 60 new individuals wishing to contribute to the development of the project, the draft Timeline document is added to Google Documents, a service which allows invited collaborators to access the latest version of the document at any time. A forum is also set up for the project on the Transition Towns website.

11.04.2008

Transition Conference

Presentation on progress so far to the second annual conference of the Transition movement. Much enthusiasm for the concept and desire to help push the project forward.

25.11.2007

Scoping meeting

Scoping meeting in Bristol with thirteen of the project contributors listed above.

20.11.2007

First discussion

Initial discussion in Totnes with key members of the Transition Towns network to discuss project outline.

Shaun is a founder member of the Transition Town Kingston Steering Group. TTK exists to mobilise and facilitate community action in Kingston to respond effectively and positively to climate change and peak oil, and operates according to these governing principles.

Key partners

The Kingston community, including the other five members of the TTK Steering Group.

Superstruct is the world's first massively multiplayer future forecasting game, in which players collaborate both to envision our future and to invent new ways to ameliorate it. Shaun is one of the five game masters for the project, which was organised by the Institute for the Future (IFTF).